On busy travel weekends such as this last Labor Day weekend, millions of drivers succumb to the grinding halt of getting in and out of town. An hour or two into the frustrating stop-and-go ordeal, it’s those darn motorcycles that never seem to be affected by the collective cattle run! While you’re effectively going nowhere, you see them moving along in your rearview mirror at a constant 25 mph. “It’s not fair,” I think to myself! But then again, in the process of accepting the consequences of leaving the city at 3:00 pm in the afternoon on a holiday weekend, I recognize that as an American, I too have freedom to purchase a motorcycle (correction: chopper), and move along at a constant 25 mph in grinding traffic. What a country!
I have friends who are avid motorcyclists, and they tell me the craziest stories about how people simply do not understand the consequences of their driving actions on the road — especially as it relates to motorcycles. For example, traffic jams make many drivers block and cut off lanes; and you wouldn’t believe it that people actually do open their doors!
My friend Ken P. recently directed me the Motorcycle Safety Foundation site, where they address a lot of these challenges. However, as I don’t think that people who drive cars actively visit motorcycle safety websites, I thought it would be appropriate to share the site’s list of 10 things that all drivers should know about motorcycles.
Motorcycle Insurance Quotes in MinutesYou need motorcycle insurance that provides you with both great value and excellent service. With GEICO, you can cash in on smart discounts and programs, like the Sunny Day Lay-Up Program that saves you money in the off-season but always keeps you ready to ride.
It's easy to check out how much you could save by switching to GEICO!
1. There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road, and some drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle; they ignore it (usually unintentionally). Look for motorcycles, especially when checking traffic at an intersection.
2. Because of its small size, a motorcycle may look farther away than it is. It may also be difficult to judge a motorcycle’s speed. When checking traffic to turn at an intersection or into (or out of) a driveway, predict a motorcycle is closer than it looks.
3. Because of its small size, a motorcycle can be easily hidden in a car’s blind spots (door/roof pillars) or masked by objects or backgrounds outside a car (bushes, fences, bridges, etc). Take an extra moment to thoroughly check traffic, whether you're changing lanes or turning at intersections.
4. Because of its small size a motorcycle may seem to be moving faster than it really is. Don't assume all motorcyclists are speed demons.
5. Motorcyclists often slow by downshifting or merely rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light. Allow more following distance, say 3 or 4 seconds. At intersections, predict a motorcyclist may slow down without visual warning.
6. Turn signals on a motorcycle usually are not self-canceling, thus some riders, (especially beginners) sometimes forget to turn them off after a turn or lane change. Make sure a motorcycle's signal is for real.
7. Motorcyclists often adjust position within a lane to be seen more easily and to minimize the effects of road debris, passing vehicles, and wind. Understand that motorcyclists adjust lane position for a purpose, not to be reckless or show off or to allow you to share the lane with them.
8. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle's better characteristics, especially at slower speeds and with good road conditions, but don't expect a motorcyclist to always be able to dodge out of the way.
9. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes stopping quickly difficult. Allow more following distance behind a motorcycle because it can't always stop "on a dime."
10. When a motorcycle is in motion, don't think of it as motorcycle; think of it as a person.
No comments:
Post a Comment